White belts struggles
Thinking that you are the only one struggling with your BJJ journey? Fear not, many other training partners are in your position, and could be struggling and having the same thoughts that you do, and some are more common that what you think.
Keep reading to read what are the most common struggles people find and how to overcome them and push through.
Thinking that your questions are silly and afraid to ask.
It is completely understandable that the beginning of the journey feels very much you just jumped in a washing machine cycle; tumbling up and down and your are not sure how to handle it, and even if is confusing you have a deep passion for it and just want to do more and more inexplicably. The real deal is that it does take time to put the pieces together and patience is of essence. Remember that there is never a silly question and you should be able to feel comfortable enough to ask your professor or instructor anything; if you are not getting out a real answer do not be afraid to say so and going deeper and be more specific of what you are looking for. Generic question of the likes “how do I get better quickly?”, may get you a generic answer, try to be as much as specific as you can, and you will get a deeper answer that may satisfy you more than just “do not give up and train more”. Do not be afraid to ask more, to uncover what is really bothering you.
Thinking you are slowing down your training partners learning
If you have been there and thought the same, you are not aloe, people may sometime feel like they are wasting some else time, either training partners or professors. On the contrary, every single person has already passed through the same and you will find that everyone is more than happy to explain and help one an other, and if that is not the case, the problem is not with you, but with the resentful person.
Not being able to remember techniques, especially during sparring
Jiu Jitsu, just like anything else, takes years to master it. Think about learning how to play guitar, surely you cannot be think you will get it in a couple of months, same goes with BJJ, again patience plays an important role into the learning process. Keep always in mind that you are learning a new skill, and you must be kind to yourself and celebrate the small victories, one small step at the time. You are no different from anyone else, and every single person in struggling with the same problem; to help with it you can consider start taking note in your phone about your class, or writing a journal with your progress and what make sense for you in your BJJ journey.
Physical conditioning, fitness and soreness
BJJ is quite the sport! All your body is placed under a great deal of stress while working out, and every single muscle in the body is moving, do not take it so lightly. Rest, good food and water are key to perfect recovery, be gentle and kind and accept that we all have limits, and we can all slowing and healthily get past them and achieve new standards. BJJ is hard, and difficult, this is the reality and, so take it easy and keep showing up class after class, and you will notice the improvements.
These are some of the most common struggles, if there are any more pain points that you would like to discuss, of course feel free to get in touch and talk about it.
Laura